Chocolate and banana is one of my favorite flavor combinations, so this Valentine's Day I wanted to share a super yummy, dreamy recipe for vegan Chocolate-Frosted Banana Cupcakes. The avocado-based frosting is silky smooth, swirled on top of sweet, moist, fluffy banana cupcakes. Add some pink sprinkles on top for the perfect Valentine's Day accent!
Plus read my 'question of the day' thoughts on using the word "vegan" (or not) in brand messaging..
Cupcakes. The frosting reminds me exactly of that creamy chocolate filling that I used to find in those oh-so-popular childhood chocolate hand pies. silky, yet rich and light - like a mousse or fluffy rich pudding. But just sweet enough to work as swirlable frosting. The banana cupcakes are moist and fluffy. They taste like a vanilla cupcake meets the best homemade banana-y banana bread ever. A hint of cinnamon is nice.
So get in the kitchen with your Valentine and make these cupcakes!.. (And if you do not have a Valentine, try making your crush a platter of these!)
(And don't forget to scroll down for my question of the day..!)
Chocolate-Frosted Banana Cupcakes
vegan, makes about 12-14 cupcakes (note: to very generously frost each cupcake, you will want to double the frosting recipe below)
Banana Cupcakes:
3 bananas, mashed (extra-ripe)
2 cups white flour, organic
¼ cup safflower oil OR virgin coconut oil, melted
1 cup sugar, organic
1 cup almond milk, vanilla (any non-dairy milk)
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon apple cider or white vinegar
Chocolate Frosting:
1 ½ cups avocado cubes
⅓ cup virgin coconut oil, melted
1 cup powdered sugar, organic
¼+ teaspoon salt*
⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract
¼-1/3 cup cacao powder
*I find that avocado chocolate recipes taste better with a nice amount of salt, however you can reduce this or even better - salt to taste
optional add-in: 1-2 tablespoon peanut butter! (I did this for a mini test batch and it was quite yummy. Would give cupcakes a peanut butter-chocolate-banana flavor)
* I actually got about 14 cupcakes out of this batter, but I liked it so much I didn't want to tweak it to be a perfect 12!)
Directions:
1. Combine all frosting ingredients in a blender or food processor, blend until smooth. Tip: Add all ingredients except powdered sugar and cocoa powder first, blend until silky, then slowly add in the dry components. If your blender sticks, then you can now pour into separate bowl and beat or fold in additional powdery ingredients. (you could also just beat, but will not be as smooth) Place frosting in fridge to chill.
2. Preheat oven to 350 degree. Combine flour, salt, baking powder and cinnamon ingredients in large mixing bowl.
3. Add the almond milk, vanilla extract, oil and vinegar to the bowl and beat on low until smooth.
4. In a separate small bowl, mash the bananas and sugar together until thick and clumpy yet smooth and spoonable.
4. Stir in the banana sugar mixture. For extra smooth cupcakes you can beat on low for a second time.
5. Line or grease cupcake tine and fill tins almost all the way if you want that spread-looking top. For cupcakes with less of a spread top, fill ¾ of the way and expect to get more cupcakes than 12.
6. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes or until center of tops becomes cake-y to touch. Remove from oven and cool.
7. When cupcakes are cool, grab your frosting and fill a frosting tip (or just frost using a spoon, either way works). Tip: Warm frosting in microwave for 5-10 seconds if the fridge made it a bit too firm. You can also remove the frosting from the fridge a good twenty minutes before planning on frosting if you are worried about the texture. The coconut oil in the dressing is what firms it up in the cold environment (but it is also what makes it so buttery and rich once it warms a bit)!
8. Serve and store on counter top, in a sealed container for up to one day. After than, store cupcakes in the fridge. Tip: These cupcakes taste best the same day you make them! So be sure to have a crowd to feed! You could also halve the cupcake batter recipe and keep the frosting as is in size. Leftover frosting can easily be consumed as a rich chocolate pudding.
Nutrition: I calculated an estimate on caloriecount.com and each frosted cupcake comes out to just over 300 calories. For those who want to know!) 🙂
Question of the day: What sounds best to you...
If I called these cupcakes: Vegan Cupcakes. Plant-Based Cupcakes. or Cupcakes... ?
I have been thinking a lot about the word "vegan" lately and how it is used to market products and describe recipes. And how in many cases, the word vegan is hidden from branding, in fear that the term will scare off non-vegan customers.
Question: Is branding your website, product, book or recipe as "vegan" a positive or negative thing? (Obviously my answer to this question is as clear as the header on my blog!)
This question carries much weight to me, as someone with a book coming out with the word "vegan" in its title. My book "365 Vegan Smoothies" could have easily been called "365 Smoothies" but I was very firm that I wanted the word vegan on the cover.
But I also know that MANY of my readers are not vegan. And I love that! I love when they see recipes on my blog and comment that they had no idea "vegan" food could look and taste so amazing. Or that they are excited to do a "vegan night" once a week even though they are not vegan. All this means that the image of the word vegan is changing for the better!
My inspiration for this question of the day...
I recently read an interview done with Greg Dollarhyde, the CEO of Veggie Grill - a vegan casual dining restaurant with a BIG bright future, he said this:
"If you use the "vegan" word, there's more than just the food attached to that. For non-vegan people, there's kind of a feeling that vegan eaters aren't tolerant of what other people eat. It's a lifestyle; it's not just a food."
This quote stood out in my brain for a number of reasons. At first, I totally agreed! And I loved the way he spoke. But then this morning I woke up not able to get that quote out of my head. He is right. Veganism DOES communicate more than food. But to me, the values "vegan" communicates are qualities like love, compassion, kindness, awareness and love of animals. All things I am most proud of in my own personality. To me, the word vegan communicates positive things. My vegan and vegan-curious friends are all kind, animal loving, intelligent, thoughtful, curious and inquisitive people who care about the earth and the people, plants and animals on it.
Hiding the word vegan feels secretive, almost reminiscent of the cooking controversy when parents contemplated the practice of secretly adding veggie purees to their kids meals. Sure, it gets the job done, but is teaching anything? That veggies CAN taste good? Hm, is the word "veggies" to a 5 yr-old equal to the word "vegan" to the general public? Well, maybe. Some 5 yr-olds (I have met them!) actually LIKE (some) veggies. So while the stereotype is seemingly that kids hate veggies, many parents have somehow miraculously broken down that wall. "Veggies" doesn't have to be a bad word. The same goes for "vegan" + food.
But back to my point.. I get it. Greg's quote. And quite honestly I have no problem with Veggie Grill or any other restaurant not using the term vegan in their marketing materials. As a customer, I could care less if they use the word vegan. I just want the product to be amazing .. and it is at Veggie Grill! BUT their reasoning behind it does make me think. And I hope this little blogpost makes you ponder it too.
And if any vegan companies read this, I hope they know that the term "vegan" to some people out there (okay, ME!) is a very positive thing.
As a business owner.. reading Greg's quote, at first, worried me a bit. Here is a very successful CEO with probably many consultants and such backing up his marketing stance and he says "vegan" is bad to use. But then I started to look around and see how many vegan companies and brands are thriving. My bloggy friends Meet the Shannons ... Annie and Dan Shannon's new book Betty Goes Vegan is (today) number one in reference cookbooks on Amazon. And the amazingly talented Chloe Coscarelli has a new book out called Chloe's Vegan Desserts that will no doubt do AMAZINGLY on the book charts. And lastly, the very talented vegan designer Leanne of Vaute Couture just had her "vegan" fashion showing at Fashion Week NYC yesterday! Read my Veggie Girl Power interviews with: Annie, Chloe and Leanne!
..So there. Maybe "vegan" and all that goes with that word doesn't have to be so secretive.
Most people who visit my blog and see my vegan recipe photos will say, "oh, that is vegan? It doesn't look vegan." And I understand why. It is true, maybe 5-10 years ago "vegan" was a lot more rigid when it came to the food options out there. But seriously guys, is there anything us vegan recipe gurus CANNOT veganize?? I don't think so. (And Betty Goes Vegan shows that BIG time! Veganizing the entire Betty Crocker Cookbook? Bravo!)
Now. What do you think?
(And just so there is no confusion, I am a big Veggie Grill fan! I just enjoyed my "free entree" birthday coupon there last night!)
The books I chatted About. Snag Chloe and Annie & Dan's books on Amazon..
* Betty Goes Vegan: 500 Classic Recipes for the Modern Family
And check out more of what vegan looks like on my vegan recipe sharing site FindingVegan.com
Now more vegan cupcakes. 🙂
k8tiekat says
Mmm, that looks delicious! I can't wait to try it! 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
a few days. After that they get hard, as most fresh baked goods do. You can freeze the cupcake part and warm in microwave to eat if you need to store them for longer.
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[email protected]
http://www.healthy-happy-life.com
@lunchboxbunch
Daily Contributor, Disney's Babble.com FOOD
Founder, FindingVegan.com
Marika says
How long do you think these will stay edible if kept in the fridge?
Kathy Patalsky says
🙂 🙂 thanks shalo
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[email protected]
http://www.healthy-happy-life.com
@lunchboxbunch
Daily Contributor, Disney's Babble.com FOOD
Founder, FindingVegan.com
LiveWithCompassion says
I agree...makes things so much easier and I feel that the food is being marketed to me too. I've been so disappointed though as it seems like my local Whole Foods is constantly carrying less vegan goods, specifically the baked goods.
LiveWithCompassion says
The whole topic of labeling things as vegan or not is one that I struggle with! Putting that one simple word on a label sure does frighten some people off. it's funny how many people will refuse to eat something because its vegan but little do they know, they have vegan foods that they eat and love but don't know it. I find it hard sometimes to decide if I should tell someone that food I have made is vegan and I tend to wait until after they have tried the food and love it! Of course, many people then claim they didn't like it after all. I always worry, however, that I prevented someone else who tried eating who may have been vegan and didn't know the food was ok for them. I hope veganism grows and more people will learn what being vegan really means. Also, as far as hiding vegs in kids' food, if healthy options are made to seem as "cool" as junk food, the kids love it!!! As a nanny, I act like going to the fresh food market is cooler than the candy store. I mean, there are tons of different colors and shapes of food, lots of sweet things, and samples to boot! The result has literally ALWAYS been that the kids would prefer to go pick out REAL juice, fruit, and vegs than going to get candy. As a society, we need to stop romancing McDonalds and JUNK.
shalo says
i don't care that your vegan, but I did find your site because of the vegan label (I had to make something for a vegan friend to eat at my house beside a salad). I really just love the way you write. I feel like I'm reading something I wrote or that your talking directly to me. After I made a meal for a friend I've continued reading your blog because I want to become a helthier person. (and because i love you)
Elisa Yim says
i personally love to see the word "vegan," then again i am an ethical vegan. however i do know that many people who are not vegan, or vegetarian, and who do not actively practice vegetarianism, will eat vegetarian food. many of my friends don't mind eating vegan/vegetarian, as long as its tasty. i am fortunate to be surrounded by understanding friends, who will go out of their way to accommodate my vegetarian diet, and i have had several friends search online for vegan foods and baked goods they can make me for special occasions, like birthdays, or dinner parties, and they often keep the recipes and use again as they end up enjoying the vegetarian foods. i do agree that the term "vegan" comes with a stigma, but at the same time i would never have found your blog had it not had in "vegan"
Ginny Messina says
Gorgeous cupcakes! And yes to the word "vegan!" Using the word--and using it in ways that are respectful and non-judgmental--is how we make the concept of veganism more mainstream. The more people see the word--and especially when they see it linked to recipes like this--the less scary it becomes.
slywlf says
Sadly the term vegan has been turned into a hot-button word by some vigilante-types who log into forums or posts on FB for the sole purpose of berating anyone who isn't eating a totally plant diet. I am not yet fully vegan myself, and find this sort of brow-beating offensive and counter productive in the extreme. You don't convince people to change an important part of their lives, one they have grown up with and lived with all of their lives, by guerrilla attacks on their personalities and probable futures. For myself, I am gradually turning toward the vegan life for my own reasons, and it is happening at an accelerating pace, but I neither idolize people who have already made the transition, not berate those who have not. That said, I can understand the reluctance of some folks to add the term vegan to a product, but I actively look for vegan products, and if an item is not clearly marked as such (sigh) I have to break out the reading glasses, as my dairy allergy is not a pretty thing.
These cupcakes sound yummy and I hope to try them soon!
John Hartil says
Simply scrumptious...!!!
readforpleasure says
I personally love seeing the word vegan on a product I buy. 1) It makes it a lot easier than reading through all the ingredients and 2) I like to see vegan food becoming more mainstream. When I see the word vegan printed on a product, I feel like I'm being marketed directly to. : ) I love your blog and knowing all the food is vegan. And that you're reaching vegan and non-vegans alike. Hiding the vegan labeling takes away the opportunity to show non-vegans that "our" food is delicious too.
Jody says
As a vegan I like seeing the word "vegan" on any recipe or item I buy; I find it makes my life easier knowing that it contains no animal products. However I have many friends and family who aren't vegan and I've noticed that whenever I make something and label it "vegan" they are hesitant to try it. I think for many people the word vegan is still associated with bird seeds or rabbit food, so I can understand why a restaurant might not want to market as vegan. On the other hand there are many restaurants that openly label themselves "vegan" and have been very successful, not only that, its a great way to showcase how delicious and appetizing vegan food can be.
JB says
Well, if you labeled it just "cupcake" I would never come across this wonderful recipe! As a vegan I purposefully do searches on things with "vegan" as part of the title. Since I'm already a fan of your website I would likely stumble upon it, but if I were not familiar with the website I'd never find it.
Stella Schultz says
As your new book will be sold on Amazon, I think adding the "Vegan" to the title would be very helpful.
I typically read the buyer's reviews/comments before I order anything, and have noted that some of the buyers (I'm guessing they are not of the vegan inclined, by the comments they leave) seem to be really put off, even angry, when they buy a cookbook that they weren't aware of being vegan or vegetarian.
Check out the reviews and the author's comments for this book "Cooking With Trader Joe's: Skinny Dish!" by Jennifer K. Reilly. People left poor reviews because they felt they didn't get a "cookbook" to their expectations. It seems the use of "Skinny Dish" implied, "low fat/cal diet" to some of them. The author even left rebuttal comments, but the buyers were still very unhappy.
I personally look for "Vegan" labeling, saves time for me on so many levels.
AND I have already pre-ordered your book. Can't wait!
HisHeart says
Interesting commentary! I'm not vegan, but I love visiting your site and trying out the recipes. I exclude most dairy products from my diet, so vegan recipes help add a lot of variety to what can sometimes be a boring food routine. I've loved discovering vegan buttery spread and finding some good alternatives to cheese. Overall, I can't imagine why people would be turned off by a way of eating that allows you to get back to some of the basics and encourages eating more fruits and vegetables. Vegan meals are some of the best I've ever had!
Brooke says
Hmm, well as a vegan I appreciate Vegan labeling, to me it says that I get to eat that delicious thing without seeing sad animal faces, BUT meat eaters do often take offense to it. Regardless of whether or not vegans as a whole, judge nonvegans, a lot of meat eaters feel judged by someone who has decided for personal ethical/dietary/environmental to obstain from animal products. That said, should you hide the name? I think there are lots of smoothie and tons of broad recipe books out there, claiming vegan gives you cred among the up and coming corner market. Go for it! It's a niche market, you gotta label it for what it is.
Heather McClees says
As someone who eats 95% vegan and 90% raw, I think vegan is actually an awesome way to title your posts and marketing tools. I LOVE seeing the word vegan, and to me, it implies nothing more than cruelty-FREE. I know many people that think vegans don't eat, or that the lifestyle is hard, but I can guarantee you that the beautiful way you present your food rules out that idea just by one glance of your blog . I was always attracted to eating vegan and don't know why, but when I found your website, I truly felt inspired and excited. Just the entire header of this website speaks " FUN FOOD!", not a strict diet! KEEP USING VEGAN! IT'S WORKING!:)
Kathy Patalsky says
So glad you liked them! Isn't the frosting yum? Eat with a spoon 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
I know that feeling well!!! But really "*vegan" bake sale labels are the BEST! 🙂
Jordan says
This question is so relevant to my life right now! We are having a bake sale at my high school and I am wondering if it will be a "turn-off" to label the baked goods as vegan? Personally, it makes me more apt to try something if I know that it is vegan. It holds a positive connotation and makes me excited 😀
Kelli Welling says
oh man, I love it when products are labeled 'vegan'! It makes my label-reading life so much easier!! 😀
I like how Amy's brand labels food: pretty design, pertinent marketing on the front, then on the back right next to the ingredients list a little (Vegan) is wonderful! Best of both worlds?
Anna says
I just made these cupcakes. They were so good, but the frosting was AMAZING! I'll definitely be making it again. About the "vegan" label: I might be biased since I am vegan, but I love the boldness that vegans (especially those in the public eye) have when they declare something to be vegan. I say this, because for a long time I hated to let people know I was veg*n (this goes back to my years as a vegetarian as well), because I didn't want to have to explain myself and open myself up to criticism and disdainful looks. Through the examples of prominent vegans, I've been more confident about discussing veganism. People still think I'm strange, but it's interesting to see how many of them have veg*n inclinations shortly after exposure to it. After all, food is activism. Don't ever shy away from saying something is vegan--even if it's a smoothie!
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks! I love the overflow tops too 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Agree! And glad to hear your vegetarian POV 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Thanks for this! Great points!!
Kathy Patalsky says
I agree, I do not think vegans are judgmental in general. Having strong beliefs for yourself doesn't necessarily mean you are judging others beliefs. I'd love it if everyone was vegan! But that doesn't interfere with my relationships or how I treat people.
Stereotypes can slowly change, but only if we actively seek to do so!
And yes I agree vegan cupcakes rule 🙂
Kathy Patalsky says
Jess, if you would like to reduce the calories, omit the frosting and just sprinkle some unsweetened cacao powder over top the banana cupcakes. 🙂
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
Oh oh my these look perfect!!! I so agree with your stance on being vegan!
PJVW says
To the average consumer, even here in a city as sophisticated as Chicago, the word vegan still has a very negative connotation. People immediately think intolerant, obsequious individuals living on bland rice, beans, and tofu. If you want to shut down a restaurant quickly in Chicago, put too many menu items with the word vegan in the description. With few exceptions. I have been a proud, and might I say healthy, vegan for many years. But I learned early on to use a different description when discussing my diet. Recently I've adopted the Forks Over Knives docs' wording and describe my diet as whole foods, plant based. That does not ring any alarm bells with people. It's wonderful to want to spread the word about veganism, but not at the expense of opening doors to the masses.
degroenekeuken says
there's always a double feeling with using the word vegan. i think that as a vegan, it's practical when 'vegan' is used for products. (i admit, sometimes i even buy something because it has the word vegan on it). as for non-vegans, i think that it's sometimes more attractive when it's not mentioned that something is vegan - but i do think it is important that people know that what they are eating is vegan, how else are we going to say that this plant foods are simply delicious? i hope this made sense 😉
Sheila says
Love that the frosting is avocado-based. These look delicious!
Michele Shank Stephenson says
As a consumer I love when something says vegan. It takes away a lot of the questions. But I only know one other person who is vegan. And it seems that the word vegan can take over so many conversations and sometimes I just don't want to explain it or have my time together with people be about that. I love my friends and family, but none of them are vegan and they are big meat eaters. Of course they all have the health issues that go along with that, but they are good, kind, caring people, who unfortunately choose to avoid knowing the consequences of being non vegan. I wish that wasn't the case, but I respect that we all have to make our choices. When I "Pin" something I always take the word vegan out of the name. I guess I'm hoping that someone will try one of the recipes, seeing that the ingredients are "normal" and see that even recipes without animal products can still be great. A little sneaky education, if you will. One of the things I hate is when someone says "You can't have that". I always reply that I can have anything I want, but I choose not to eat something. I don't want people to see my veganism as something wierd or abnormal. For some, a more sly introduction to this lifestyle might be helpful to get them to realize it is perfectly normal. And tasty!!! I love your blog and have had great success with your recipes! And someday I hope that the word vegan won't need to be a topic of conversation, but the norm. Thanks for what you do!
Cheryl Hugle says
Vegan
Cupcake or Cupcake with 'vegan' in the tag line. Vegans get frustrated
when producers of vegan products are afraid to label things vegan. If a
product is really delicious, then it will get eaten... by vegans and
non-vegans... and if it is labeled 'vegan' it does two things for
non-vegans: Makes them aware that they don't have to feel deprived when
they Go Vegan and, gets them thinking about the vegan paradigm. If we
keep the word out of society, no one will be considering it. If we smear
it everywhere whenever the chance presents itself, minimally it enters
the mind... which is the whole reason to have vegan products, to start
the conversation that will lead to awareness that cruelty and unhealthy
eating is not mandated by God, we do have a choice and it is not only
the most delicious choice, it is the most conscious, compassionate,
ecological and healthy. But, if you are unconvinced, do what many do:
say 'Cupcake' and then in the tag line write: all natural ingredients,
vegan, fair-trade, organic, etc. or whatever applies.
jodye says
I love the oversized tops of the cupcakes, I do that too, whenever I remember. I love how the edges get a little bit crunchy - a nice contrast to the rest of the cake. Chocolate and banana is always a winner in my book, and pink sprinkles make them entirely appropriate for valentine's day. Thanks for another great recipe!
Lisa Le says
I understand how you feel. Lately I've been trying more vegan recipes because I sometimes bake for friends who are vegan, and I recently participated in a vegan bake off. Usually, the word "vegan" is only positive for me, as someone who believes in animal-friendly lifestyle and diet. (I'm vegetarian btw, not vegan.) There are however, people out there who reaffirm the negative stereotype that vegans are non-vegan haters that use shock value and aggressive imagery to shame non-vegans (e.g. one of the commenters on my vegan lemon donut post).
Unfortunately I can see why the word "vegan" can turn off some people, but with great posts like yours, people will eventually move past the stereotype and understand that vegan just means animal-loving people who love good food =)
Steven Crisp says
As to your vegan question:
I would call them vegan cupcakes, a damn any consequences. To me it is win-win. Vegans love them because they are vegan. Non-vegans will love them because they taste good, and perhaps are healthier.
I don't think "vegan" has to imply a judgmental view on others. It's how I choose to eat, because of all of the health and ethical (for me) reasons. For anyone that is toying with the idea of a healthier diet, they could do a lot worse than trying some vegan recipes. And at some point, they may decide it's worth taking the plunge and themselves becoming vegan.
What a worthwhile step for humanity.
Vegan cupcakes rule!
Jess says
300 calories. No thanks.
disqus_LeIktZZEqz says
And 1 cup...how much is it? 🙂